COSI Columbus | Videoconferencing | Experts Program Schedule

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Experts Program Schedule

Grades 2 through 12

Experts Preview Video

Online reservations for the 2010-2011 school year are now open!

Connect your students with scientists, doctors, and experts in their fields in a live interactive two-way experience!

This 60 minute presentation allows your students to work with an Expert to solve challenging questions that he or she would face on a daily basis. After the challenge is solved, the remainder of the hour is spent taking questions from students. This allows students to explore what interests them about the topic. Students should prepare questions in advance. Elementary programs include a kit of materials with hands-on activities to experience with the expert.

We strongly recommend a connection speed of 384kbps or higher. If you can't perform a test connection at the times indicated, let us know and we'll schedule another time.

What do teachers think?

"Dr. Kaspar was excellent, good information, he spoke to the students at their level and clarified any vocabulary that was 'too scientific.' All of the students enjoyed learning the new and exciting findings of AAV-9. Thank you." "Perfect addition to curriculum."
Pam Zeigler - Kenston High School
Chagrin Falls, OH

Program Cost

$165 per program per school and includes a test connection, the session and biographical & subject information. Extra kits of materials (for elementary classes larger than 30) may be purchased for $35 each.

Forensic Psychology

October 20, 2010, 11:00am ET
Grade Levels: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Subjects: General psychology, Social and Legal issues, Current events

Interested in learning more about the complex interface between mental illness and the criminal mind? Join Dr. Kukor to learn how individuals charged with crimes are psychologically evaluated to determine if they are mentally fit to stand trial and criminally responsible. In this interactive session, Dr. Kukor will guide participants through a step-by-step forensic analysis of a complex forensic case involving claimed insanity.

Terry Kukor Ph.D., ABPP (Forensic) is the Director of Forensic and Assessment Services for Netcare Corporation in Columbus, Ohio, a non-profit organization that provides crisis intervention and assessment services. He currently serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology of Miami University, and as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Drexel University. Dr. Kukor has performed hundreds of forensic evaluations, and conducts workshops on risk and threat assessment in both clinical and forensic contexts. He graduated with a BA in Psychology from Marquette University, and went on to earn a Master's and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Miami University. He is one of only 260 diplomates in forensic psychology in the country that have been certified by the American Board of Forensic Psychology.

Students should be prepared to answer the 12 key questions about the case presented in the Thought Challenge, which will be sent to teachers in advance. Dr. Kukor will invite schools to answer these questions in round-robin format before he presents his answers to these questions.

The test connection for this program is scheduled on October 18 at 2:00pm ET.

ELEMENTARY: Photosynthesis - What Do Trees Need to Grow

November 2, 2010, 11:00am ET
Grade Levels: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
Subjects: Plants, Photosynthesis, Light

Grades 3 through 6 are invited to join COSI demonstrator Cari Palmer to explore the amazing world of plants. Cari will begin with the question, "What are trees made of?" That will lead to an exploration of invisible gases, burning solids, and eerily glowing liquids. This experiment-packed 60-minute presentation will include an interactive hands-on experiment. It will be followed by an opportunity for students to ask questions about plants, light, and photosynthesis.

Students should prepare questions in advance, based on the information sent to the teacher. The test connection for this program is scheduled on October 29, 2010 at 2:00pm ET.

ELEMENTARY:The Science of Harry Potter

November 3, 2010, 9:00am ET
Grade Levels: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
Subjects: Electricity and magnetism, States of matter, Physical and chemical changes, Light and refraction

Magic for muggles! Learn how some of Harry Potter's magic is possible with modern science, through re-creating magic spells and phenomena using chemistry and physics. Elementary school students join COSI demonstrator, Ryan Westhoven, as he explores the incredible world of Harry Potter through amazing demonstrations and interactive hands-on experiments.

Students should prepare questions in advance, based on the information sent to the teacher. The test connection for this program is scheduled on October 29, 2010 at 2:00pm ET.

ELEMENTARY: Reptiles Live!

November 12, 2010, 1:00pm ET
Grade Levels: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
Subjects: Reptiles, Habitats, Animal Adaptations

Ever see a reptile up close? Meet COSI's snakes, turtles, and lizards, conduct your own slithery, scaley experiment, and learn more about the life of a reptile. Traci Weaver, COSI's Creepy Crawly Curator, will show you up close and personal how cool reptiles really are. Learn about their homes, their lifestyles, their favorite foods, and more! You might even get to see a snake eat!

Students should prepare questions in advance, based on the information sent to the teacher. The test connection for this program is scheduled on November 9, 2010 at 2:00pm ET.

Genetic Counseling: The Faces of Genetic Disease

November 15, 2010, 1:00pm ET
Grade Levels: 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Subjects: Biology, Genetics, Ethics

Matt Pastore, pediatric genetic counselor at The Regional Genetics Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, will be discussing how genetics affects all of our lives. In pediatric genetics, children with various birth defects, delays, and/or significant family history are evaluated to determine if they have an underlying genetic cause. Genetic counseling for several common conditions will be presented, including risk assessment, genetic testing, and psychosocial counseling.

Students should have prior understanding of:
* Basic genetics
* DNA
* Genes
* Inheritance patterns, including multi-factorial inheritance

Students should prepare questions in advance, based on the information sent to the teacher. The test connection for this program is scheduled on November 11, 2010 at 2:00pm ET.

Polar Research and Climate Change

December 6, 2010, 9:00am ET
Grade Levels: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Subjects: Geology, Earth Science, Weather, Chemistry

Dr. Berry Lyons, Director of the School of Earth Sciences at The Ohio State University, will discuss climate change over the past half million years and the processes that cause it. He will use examples from ice core data from polar regions to detail how the climate has changed over this period. In addition he will use observations made on polar and alpine glaciers in the past few years to provide information about the impact of today's climate on glacier dynamics. Dr. Lyons is a Professor in the School of Earth Sciences at OSU, and his main areas of research are Hydrogeology, Earth System Science, Geochemistry.

Students should prepare questions in advance, based on the packet of information sent to the teacher. The test connection for this program is scheduled on December 1, 2010 at 2:00pm ET.

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